In a move reflecting its commitment to social responsibility and preparing future generations for a more sustainable and prosperous future, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is dedicated to enhancing the awareness of school and university students, as well as educators, about the latest advancements in clean and renewable energy technologies. The initiative aims to refine their knowledge and skills, inspire them to pursue scientific studies, and foster a spirit of research, creativity, and innovation. DEWA also seeks to introduce them to its key projects, initiatives, and programs that support national objectives, reinforce Emirati identity and values, and drive sustainable development.
According to Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the Managing Director and CEO of DEWA: “We are keen on fulfilling the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to equip the new generation with skills that will sustain developmental momentum. Our goal is to cultivate a confident generation proud of its values and heritage, capable of competing globally across various fields, and spearheading a sustainable future. At DEWA, we believe in the importance of collaborative roles to ensure optimal investment in human potential. We are committed to our societal and national responsibilities to provide an educational environment that prepares generations for the opportunities, challenges, and changes of the future, allowing interaction and cooperation among various community sectors. In this Year of the Community in the UAE, we are intensifying efforts to solidify Dubai’s position as a city of continuous development, enabling people and communities, and a global capital for youth achieving the highest levels of excellence.”
DEWA welcomes visiting student groups to provide them with firsthand insights into its major projects, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar power complex; the Sustainability and Innovation Center, which serves as a global incubator for the latest innovations in clean and renewable energy; and the Research and Development Center, which features unique laboratories recognized worldwide. Moreover, students visit the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), one of the largest specialized exhibitions globally and the biggest in the region, which covers sustainable energy, water, smart cities, electric vehicles, sustainability, and related sectors, allowing them to explore the latest technologies and innovations from thousands of local and international companies participating in the event.
In 2024, the number of school visits to DEWA’s power facilities reached approximately 43, including 24 physical visits and 19 virtual visits, with a total participation of 2,990 students from various schools across the country. The Sustainability and Innovation Center welcomed 2,353 students, while the Research and Development Center received 44 students. Additionally, WETEX hosted 3,776 students.
Each year, DEWA organizes a summer camp geared toward children and youth, aiming to provide an educational and recreational environment through diverse activities and workshops in areas such as the environment, technology, and innovation. The camp’s goal is to develop personal skills and enhance teamwork and social responsibility values among participants. DEWA also runs a summer training program for university and school students, designed to integrate trainees into the workforce and help them acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for building a strong career future. Furthermore, DEWA annually organizes both summer and winter sessions of the “Future Engineer” camp to advance the skills of employees’ children in fields like cybersecurity, information technology, and various engineering disciplines. As part of its initiatives to engage the entire community in enhancing electricity and water consumption efficiency and conserving natural resources, DEWA conducts in-person and virtual awareness lectures for school and university students in collaboration with various governmental and private entities in the UAE and Dubai. On Emirati Child Day, DEWA holds various educational, cultural, and recreational activities in its five childcare centers (nurseries).
The Sustainability and Innovation Center also runs the “Youth in Clean Energy” program to cultivate a new generation of specialists and leaders in clean energy and sustainability. This program includes a variety of activities that combine theoretical and practical aspects, as well as field visits to solar power plants and major sustainable projects in the UAE. Additionally, the center organizes the “Young Innovators” competition annually in conjunction with World Energy Day, aimed at raising awareness among school students from grades four to twelve about solar energy and its technologies, and encouraging them to devise ways to incorporate solar energy into our daily lives.